Judge rules against consolidating Cass County case

There’ve been some new developments concerning the lawsuit against the embattled Cass County Attorney and Sheriff, as the men face a case that could remove them from office. Judge Robert A. Hutchinson ruled Tuesday against consolidating the cases against Cass County Attorney James P. Barry and Sheriff Larry G. Jones. Ronald Feilmeyer, Attorney for the plaintiffs against the men, had asked their cases be consolidated because of the commonalities between them. The Judge also denied Barry’s request to have Feilmeyer removed as prosecuting attorney. Barry claimed Feilmeyer would not be impartial for various reasons, including his party affiliation. Barry is a Republican and Feilmeyer is Democrat, but his clients who seek to remove Barry and Jones’ from office are Republicans. The trial date for Barry has been set for August 30th, a little more than one-week earlier than was originally announced. The trial for Jones meanwhile is still set for September 7th. A pre-trial hearing for both men will be held Thursday afternoon in the Cass County Courthouse.